Walkers’ Haute Route Highlights Terms and Conditions

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General and specific terms and conditions of sale for this trip

Last updated 5th November 2024

Summary

This trip is sold by Ian Huyton, acting under the trading name “White Marmotte”

The price of the trip is 2000 euros per person based on two people sharing a room euros, or 2350 euros for a person booking alone. If different, the price specified on the web page where the booking is made shall apply.

To reserve a place on this trip, a deposit of approximately 20% of the price must be paid to White Marmotte. The precise deposit amount will be specified when booking the trip. The remainder of the price must be paid no later than eight weeks before the start of the trip. If the balance payment is not received by this date, we reserve the right to cancel the booked services or resell the place to another customer. In this case your deposit will not be refunded.

If a reservation is made less than eight weeks before the start of the trip, the entire balance must be paid at this time.

Payments may be made by bank transfer or by any means of electronic payment we choose to offer on our website or via email.

Trip requirements

This is a physically demanding hike at altitudes up to 3000 metres above sea level. Daily distances can approach 20 kilometres with up to 1800 metres of ascent. The footpaths are rocky, steep and uneven in places. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary fitness level and hiking ability.

Due to the demanding nature of the trip, we ask that participants are at least 16 years of age, and are accompanied by a responsible adult if under 18.

Risks

Trekking in the Alps is a potentially dangerous activity with a risk of serious injury or death. Participants in White Marmotte trips must be aware of and accept these risks, and must take responsibility for their own actions during the trip.

White Marmotte

White Marmotte is a trading name of Ian Huyton, registered as an Individual Entreprise in France with SIRET Number 81746607100039. The White Marmotte name and logo are registered marques with INPI France under registration number 4538319.

Ian Huyton is a registered tour operator in France with Atout France under registration number IM038220006 according to Article R. 211-21 of the French Code du Tourisme.

All funds paid to Ian Huyton / White Marmotte are protected by a financial guarantee provided by Groupama Assurance-Credit & Caution under contract number 4000717935/0 conforming to articles R.211-26 and R.211-29 of the French Code du Tourisme.

White Marmotte / Ian Huyton is covered by public liability insurance provided by VHF Assurance France under contract number FR11-RCE22P00010, up to a maximum of €20 000 000 per year and €10 000 000 per claim.

Modifications and cancellations

You may cancel your booking by informing us by email, telephone or in writing as soon as you become aware that you would like to cancel. If you cancel more than eight weeks before the trip, you will forfeit your deposit and any other amounts paid will be refunded to you. If you cancel less than eight weeks before the start of the trip we will not normally be able to offer a refund.

If you wish to transfer the booking to another person, please notify us as soon as possible. Provided that the other person meets the age and fitness requirements we will be happy to transfer the booking without any charge.

If you wish to transfer your booking to a different White Marmotte trip, please contact us to discuss your options and we will try to facilitate this wherever possible.

Your responsibilities

This trip takes place in a potentially dangerous Alpine mountain environment at altitudes up to around 2600 metres above sea level. Parts of the trip pass through remote areas with no mobile phone signal. To ensure the safety of yourself and of the group, we expect you to adhere to the following:

  • Read the supplied packing list thoroughly and ensure you bring all the necessary equipment and clothing.
  • Ensure your physical fitness level is sufficient for the trip you have booked.
  • Please follow all instructions given by the trip leader and any other persons working for White Marmotte.
  • Do not behave in any way that poses a danger to yourself or to others.

We reserve the right to ask you to leave the trip if you do not follow the above requirements. In this case you will not be entitled to any refund.

If you are unable to continue with the trip due to illness or injury, we will assist you to return to Geneva airport or to a nearby town. In this case we shall not be liable for any transport or accommodation costs and you will not be entitled to a refund. Your travel insurance may cover costs in this instance. If mountain rescue is required, your insurance will be expected to cover any costs incurred.

If you choose to leave the trip before the end we cannot be held responsible for your safety and we will accept no liability for any adverse consequences.

You are responsible for your own possessions during the trip, including but not limited to mobile devices, cameras, documents, bank cards, personal money and any other valuable items.

Our service

The service provided by White Marmotte comprises the following:

  • Individual shared transfer from Geneva airport to the start point of the trip.
  • Train tickets from Zermatt to Geneva airport at the end of the trip.
  • Six days of guiding by a qualified International Mountain Leader holding a UIMLA certified qualification.
  • Seven nights accommodation.
  • Seven breakfasts.
  • Seven evening meals.
  • Any journeys on local bus services, cable cars, taxis or other transport services used as part of the trip. Optional journeys are not included, and there will be no refund if such transport services are not used.

The itinerary will follow that described on the White Marmotte website “www.whitemarmotte.com” and in the pre-trip information. We reserve the right to make minor changes to the itinerary due to operational or safety reasons.

The trip leader will be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the group at all times. They have the right to alter the itinerary at any time or to take any other actions needed to ensure safety, and will be fully supported by White Marmotte in this case.

Image rights

Unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume that any photographs taken during the trip featuring adult customers may be used by White Marmotte for promotional purposes on websites, social media and in print. Please let us know in advance if you would prefer us not to use any images in which you feature.

We will not use any images of minors under 18 without the express consent of their parents.

Data Protection

Personal data transmitted to White Marmotte will be held securely and used for the purposes of providing the trip you have booked. Such information will include your name, email address, telephone number, travel insurance details, emergency contact details and travel/flight details.

All data held by White Marmotte will be kept in accordance with French and European data protection law.

Infectious diseases

Due to the nature of the accommodation in mountain refuges, we cannot guarantee that social distancing measures will continue to be kept in place now that the peak of the Covid 19 crisis has passed. Sleeping accommodation will be in shared dormitories, and dining will be at large, communal tables. For these reasons, we do not recommend this trip to people who are more vulnerable to infection by Covid and other infectious diseases.

Insurance

Our insurance, and the professional liability insurance of the trip leader, may cover search and rescue costs in the event of an accident or damage caused by our actions or omissions. It will also normally cover compensation/liability payments if we are at fault. It will not cover the consequences of your individual actions or behaviour, nor will it necessarily cover medical expenses or the cost of repatriation from the hospital to your home.

For this reason it is compulsory for clients booking this trip to have individual accident insurance which covers alpine trekking up to 3000 metres. It must cover search and rescue, medical and repatriation costs. If you do not have such a policy already, French residents can purchase a suitable policy at www.sport.lycea.fr. We do not have a policy to recommend for non-French-residents at this time.

As we cannot offer any refunds for trips cancelled within eight weeks of the start date, due to the expenses we will have to incur after that time, we strongly recommend that customers take out a cancellation insurance policy to cover them in the event that they cannot travel for any reason.

Medical Conditions

We do not recommend that you come on this trip if you have a condition that could lead to a life threatening emergency, e.g. severe allergies, severe diabetes, severe uncontrolled epilepsy or similar conditions. This is because much of the trip, including one of the overnight accommodation, is in remote terrain with no vehicle access. Evacuation is only possible by helicopter and may entail a long wait, particularly at night or in adverse weather conditions.

We may refuse your booking or require a letter from a physician before accepting it if you have a medical condition of this type.

We also would not recommend this trip if you have any condition which impacts your ability to perform moderately strenuous exercise for long period or to walk safely on uneven terrain.

Disputes

In the event of any dispute with White Marmotte we suggest that you contact us directly to discuss your issues and to allow us to propose a solution. In the event that the dispute cannot be resolved amicably, we subscribe to a mediation service with MCP Médiation. You can contact them using the details provided below.

Any claims or litigation against White Marmotte will fall under the jurisdiction of French law.

CONSUMER MEDIATION

According to the requirements of articles L 611-1 and R 612-1 of the French Consumer Code (Code de la Consommation) concerning the amicable resolution of disputes : Once the consumer has addressed a written complaint to the professional and has not received a satisfactory response within two months, they may submit their complaint to the mediation service free of charge. The referral to the mediator must be made within one year of the initial complaint.

The mediator MCP MEDIATION can be contacted directly online at the following address : www.mcpmediation.org or by mail at MÉDIATION DE LA CONSOMMATION & PATRIMOINE – 12 Square Desnouettes – 75015 PARIS